Outer Visions :: Creative Landscape Designs
 
 
 

Why hire a professional Landscape Designer?

Professional Landscape Designers bring a wealth of education and experience to every project.  A Landscape Designer can help a homeowner through the maze of considerations and issues so important to the successful completion of a beautiful garden and home.

A professionally designed garden can seem so natural, that the details of achieving that look are lost.  A Landscape Designer can help their client focus their vision of a garden and with the experience of having completed many designs, can introduce ideas and features that will enhance any vision.  A Landscape Designer understands the best plants for the region, as well as how to create special arrangements and groupings that will be beautiful as well as sound from a horticultural standpoint.  Landscape Designers also put a great deal of effort in maintaining a working relationship with suppliers, installers and nurseries to insure that each garden is the vision the homeowner is seeking.

 
 

Why a Landscape Designer and not a Landscape Architect?

Both Landscape Designers and Landscape Architects can, and do, provide services for residential garden design.  Both receive training in design and horticulture.   Both professions also bring a wealth of education and experience to a project and seek to realize the client's vision.

The most obvious difference is that Landscape Architects are registered by the State of California.  Many Landscape Architects practice in multi-dimensional fields where residential design is a part of, not the focus of, a larger practice.  Many Architects focus primarily on communication through the use of construction plans with limited services in the field during construction.

Landscape Designers have a hands-on approach, not just completing plans, but working closely with Contractors and Suppliers to insure the garden is properly installed.  Due to their on-site experience, Landscape Designers tend to have a more extensive knowledge of plants and what actually works in our Bay Area micro-climates.

Landscape Designers fees are generally significantly lower and their services are more highly personalized.
 
 

How long does the process take?

The design process is generally 6 weeks: three weeks for preliminary designs and an additional three weeks for the final design.

The implementation process will vary depending on the complexity of the job. 
 
 

What will a landscaped yard add to my property value?

A well designed and  maintained landscape adds approximately 15-20% to the value of a property.
 
 

How are your fees determined, and what is the payment schedule?

Our fees are based on the size and complexity of the project.  We estimate the number of hours that will be required for both the design and implementation processes. We will give you a set amount for the design and an estimate for our time and materials during the implementation..

Payment schedule is as follows:

  • A small deposit is sent with the signed contract.
  • Half of the design fee is due at the preliminary stage.
  • The remaining half of the design fee is due at the final plan stage.
  • A separate bill will be sent at the completion of the project for time and materials spent during implementation.  Any amount over the estimate will be approved by you in advance.
 
 

How involved will you be during the construction?

We will work with your Contractor at all phases of the construction as needed to answer questions, problem solve, or consult regarding any adjustments to the design

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